Welcome to Adventu, your final fantasy rp haven. adventu focuses on both canon and original characters from different worlds and timelines that have all been pulled to the world of zephon: a familiar final fantasy-styled land where all adventurers will fight, explore, and make new personal connections.
at adventu, we believe that colorful story and plots far outweigh the need for a battle system. rp should be about the writing, the fun, and the creativity. you will see that the only system on our site is the encouragement to create amazing adventures with other members. welcome to adventu... how will you arrive?
year 5, quarter 3
Welcome one and all to our beautiful new skin! This marks the visual era of Adventu 4.0, our 4th and by far best design we've had. 3.0 suited our needs for a very long time, but as things are evolving around the site (and all for the better thanks to all of you), it was time for a new, sleek change. The Resource Site celebrity Pharaoh Leep was the amazing mastermind behind this with minor collaborations from your resident moogle. It's one-of-a-kind and suited specifically for Adventu. Click the image for a super easy new skin guide for a visual tour!
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[attr="class","character-spring-1c"]“Masquerade: Red Strings of Fate”
[attr="class","character-spring-1d"]The masquerade was a beautiful one and one held every year around the same date. The story behind it was a cute little fable started with the building of the Palace, aptly named the Palace of Birdsong. The royalty decided to build a palace of such beauty that when the engineers finally laid the last stone the tanagers came just before dawn to see its splendor. And as the rays of the morning light first laid the completed palace bare to the world, the tanagers - in their beautiful feathers of red, gold, and raven - sang its praises.
Ever since that day, the Birdsong Gala has always been the event to come to every year. The event lasts several days and includes many events, including the avian-themed masquerade. On this first day, the ballroom is crowded with plenty of bird-themed attire, but only servants are dressed as tanagers. The ballroom itself is extravagantly decorated with beautiful colors, chiffon fabrics, and stained glass windows that let all colors in. It is certainly breathtaking. But in the middle of the floor is a tall cake meant to feed everyone. Its base is white like clouds, but there are small red birds, each masterfully positioned and decorated the cake. And at the feet of each bird, lay a red ribbon that protrudes out of the cake. Each ribbon belongs to a precut slice of the cake.
Viscount Lotheed steps up with his sister who arranged the event. He gives her command of the floor.
She promptly welcomes everyone to the Gala and she is happy everyone is here. She created this game as an icebreaker among the participants, as well as a way for the people here. She proceeds to explain the rules of the KNOTTING GAME.
“It is simple. Find one end of the string and follow it through to the end. Just remember, fate’s twist and turns may surprise you but those who prevail will be rewarded.”
Though, as Hilda listened, she wondered if the cake was the reward. Or if there was a specialty prize if something was found in the cake itself. She turned to see everyone clambering for an end. Some ends were in the ballroom itself and those were the first to be taken. But some strings laid in every direction going through the doorways and down halls. Some of the strings purposely knotted together to hopefully have people stop and talk to each other.
Some led to locations in the house such as the magical library, the study, the dining hall, the lavishly dressed guestrooms, the sunroom, the observatory, and the welcome chambers.Though some rooms were curiously closed off to guests. But the stunning ceiling murals, the beautiful artwork, and the masterful statutes distracted from the restricted areas. Needless to say, guests are stunned by the architectural wonders of such a beautiful palace.
However, some strings had ends that were outside in places like the reflection pond, the flower gardens with living topiaries, the arboretum behind the palace, and - where Hilda chose - the world-renown aviary.
An ethereal dome created a thin layer to keep the birds from flying off, but it was very well tended to. In fact, some of the areas were recreated to be just like the species natural environment. It was well staffed and the birds seemed to be living a comfortable life. And there were myriads of birds here. ‘Almost one for every shade of color’, Hilda thought, as she admired the intricacies of patterns and colors.
Her own costume tried to mimic the swan with a beautiful ivory ball gown with gold beading. Soft feathers cover her shoulders. In these settings, she always modestly kept her hair covered, so she chose an ivory and gold veil with a wing on either side of the head band. Then finally, she found a simple ivory mask that had gold filigree shaped like a swan.
Swans were graceful and elegant. Beautiful, noble birds indeed. However, they were known for their vicious temper if someone disturbed their nest. Hilda was quite fond of them.
After a few steps down the aviary’s path, she found a lone end of a red ribbon, just waiting for her. She smiled and knelt to pick it up, proceeding to follow it to its first knot.
Tseng spent his time sitting in coffee shops and crowded areas, listening in on conversations and collecting as much information as he could. Much to his dismay, he didn't really hear much. There had been a battle in Provo, and the descriptions of the men involved were all too familiar to him. He knew it was very possible there were others from Gaia here, he just wasn't prepared to hear just how many. From what he was gathering, it seemed Cloud, Angeal and Sephiroth were all here. Were the rest of his Turks around as well?
Word of mouth was what landed him at his current destination, black tux and black mask as his attire for the evening. He wasn't sure what he would find here, but there could be a chance he could run into someone of some importance to make acquaintences with. No harm in finding "friends" in high places, right?
Being somewhere so formal wasn't unusual for Tseng, he was used to attending events such at these with Rufus, but it was while he was working. It was a little different to Tseng to not be protecting someone while he was here, proven by the fact that his first instinct was to scan the area for anyone or anything that looked even a bit out of place. There were a few people that caught his eye, but being in a new place, he wasn't sure if they were a threat or just someone feeling awkward. The masks weren't helping much.
Heading out into the courtyard, Tseng noticed people talking with one another and it made him wonder. Did they meet here, or are they from the same world? How long had they been there? If they were from another world, were they different here than they were there? There was a chance that people took this as a second chance and changed their ways. That could be a good thing and a bad thing in his eyes.
A red ribbon caught his eye and he picked it up off the ground. He had caught the ending of the speech from inside, he started to follow it, really unsure why he was participating in the event in the first place. Eventually, he found a knot, and noticed a blonde woman also following the same ribbon he had found. He waited for her to make her way to him.
[attr="class","character-spring-1c"]“Masquerade: Red Strings of Fate”
[attr="class","character-spring-1d"]
A red ribbon caught his eye and he picked it up off the ground. He had caught the ending of the speech from inside, he started to follow it, really unsure why he was participating in the event in the first place. Eventually, he found a knot, and noticed a blonde woman also following the same ribbon he had found. He waited for her to make her way to him.
She took her leisure. There was no hurry and no responsibility here. These aviaries were quite famous after all, not only for their research but for the sheer number of rare birds. As she neared the knot the land to the sides of the path housed ponds, with a simulated small waterfall on the left. The waterfall was probably connected to the other two to keep the water from stagnating. The koi in the ponds brought beautiful orange-gold color to it.
The main attraction of this particular landscape were the beautiful kingfishers in their sapphire and gold feathers, as well as the male mandarin duck in his bright earthly colors. Just as her heels tapped to a stop, she saw a man standing at the first knot. Was he staring at her?
Seemed her first social encounter of the day would be at this first knot. She crossed the bridge over the bond to the first knot. Her hands crossed in front of her as she strode to him. When she arrived, she neatly wrapped the remainder of her string into her palm, bringing the knot up to her hands. She searched for a safe topic in the back of her mind. Then looking up, she smiled as she met his eyes. “Enjoying the view of the birds, sir…?” Two questions rolled into one - one about birds and another for a name.
She looked back down at the knot, determining how to untangle it. Instead she rolled between her thumb and index finger to loosen the threads first. His string was also one of four tangled into this knot. “Do you know much about the aviary?” It was another safe question. It was never polite to presume someone’s knowledge or lack thereof.
She had noticed him before reaching him, and Tseng kept his face straight. He was used to talking to people, that was how he got his information after all. Past conversations had to deal with work, so a casual conversation wasn't something he was familiar with. Employees of Shinra, mainly his fellow Turks, were the only people he was known to speak to for more than five minutes at a time, and even then, it was about work. There was an occasional conversation about what was currently happening in their life, but nothing too major.
Before he knew it, she had made her way to him, wrapping the ribbon around in her hand. There was a smile on her face, so he gave a small one back and a nod of his head. "That I am, they were a rare sight where I'm from." Midgar didn't get much wildlife, unless you counted the monsters that roamed around. When your city was powered by mako energy being pulled from the ground, pollution was the result. "My name is Tseng, and yours?"
Following her gaze, he also looked at the knot, the ends of his ribbon tucked away in the palm of his hand. The idea was to untie the knot before you could continue on, which could prove to be a simple task for the Turk. He had to comment the people who organized this event. He himself would never have the patience to put it together unless he had to. He made no move to attempt at the knot, he would wait just a moment.
Watching as she moved the knot in her fingers, he only looked up when she asked him another question, shaking his head. "I do not. This is the first time I have been to this area. It's beautiful though." Tseng wasn't shy, he knew how to talk to people, and there wasn't much that made him nervous. The woman in front of him seemed more elegant than anyone he had met in Gaia, so he was rather looking forward to this conversation.
[attr="class","character-spring-1c"]“Masquerade: Red Strings of Fate”
[attr="class","character-spring-1d"]“A rare sight? That’s quite a pity.” She turned to take in the beauty of the birds and the garden. It held a natural charm to it, that she wished she could see more often. Perhaps Lindblum would do with a small garden at its center. She missed it’s cobblestone and its clockwork.Though the view from her observatory on top of the castle was a grand sight indeed. How she longingly looked over the far stretches of the water. To imagine herself escaping on the airships that came to port. Or even watch the freedom of the doves, white terns, song canaries, and red-tailed tropicbirds that she often lured to the palace walls with a bit of bird seed. It was a place to stand above the chaos of the castle. A place of reprieve from the masks and politics.
“It only means that they are even more precious to sight.” She said fondly. “Sir Tseng, it is a pleasure to meet you.” She turned back to him and bowed her head to him. “You may address me as Lady Hildagarde.” There was quite a need for decorum at this party.
She felt the knot loosen between her fingers. “I am not the owner of this aviary, so I am afraid my meager description does little justice.” She said humbly. “The Viscount Lotheed keeps this extravagant aviary to maintain research of the different species of birds in the area. It also helps to keep an idea on what breeds face extinction and how to prevent it.” It also acted as a rescue too, for those birds that were injured. “All the different terrain in the area can be found here inside this aviary dome, all to accommodate these fine feathered friends.”
She turned to start to pick at the knot now that it had loosen, trying to determine which ribbon was her own. “It is typically the main attraction of the Birdsong Palace. I am surprised it is not what brought you here.” Another silent question of inquiring what had brought him here.
"Indeed." A short response for her as she seemed to be caught up in the scenery. For that, he couldn't really blame her. Arriving in Zephon had been a little bit of a culture shock for him, and the location of this event was as well. He had seen many kinds of buildings as the Vice President's personal bodyguard, but none had been this esquisite. There were always rooms for people to escape the main party, and this one did not hesistate to impress. He was honestly surprised no one else was evading the drama that could ensue from an event like this.
A small smile adorned Tseng's face at her words, and he gave her a bow as well. "Lady Hildagarde, the pleasure is all mine." When she introduced herself, Tseng had to wonder if this estate was her own, given her title. Another guess would be she was of importance in her home world before being pulled here, it was hard to tell anymore. That was why Tseng needed to be out and about more, he wanted to be able to tell if someone was pulled to Zephon, or if they were originally from here, and if that was even a thing.
The question he had asked himself was answered by her without him even asking. She was not the owner, at least not of the aviary. "They must care a great deal for these birds, it is all very impressive." Birds were marvelous creatures, once you got to know them. Tseng had never had time to do any research on animals or nature, but he did enjoy them.
When she started working on the knot a little bit, he looked down at his own and gave a part of it a small tug. Knots were pretty simple to figure out, once you got it started, and he knew that was the point of this activity. People would start conversations while getting the knot started, and maybe end up chatting for while. Looking up, he gave a small shrug. "It wasn't what caught my interest, but it was a pleasant surprise. I came here out of curiousity." Not a full answer, but an answer nonetheless.
[attr="class","character-spring-1c"]“Masquerade: Red Strings of Fate”
[attr="class","character-spring-1d"]He gave her a polite, elegant bow as she introduced himself. There was a grace about him that was less of a nobleman and more of a bodyguard, or so it seemed. Her conclusions were drawn by his stiffness and taciturn nature. His demeanor felt like he would be much more comfortable working than enjoying a social event. She wondered if his employer was at the party or if it really was as he said and he just happened to attend out of curiosity. Words were such silly things after all. It was easy to obscure the truth.
“Not one for small talk, are you?” She hummed thoughtfully. Her finger tips deftly slipped the string from its tight loops. Then, the string finally tugged free of the knot. She held it out for him to take, her palm was face up. Each of her topics were cut short with his polite agreements that contributed little to follow up with. “More adherent to a gentleman of action?” She knew and understood those types. Perhaps, he would rather quietly enjoy the scenery and make it through the social event?
She breathed the air and looked away as he tugged the string that contributed to the knot. “Curiosity brought you? If not for the birds, then, pray tell what piqued your interest?” She asked gently, winding her own string taught. “The palace holds many secrets and restricted areas.” Was he interested in the intrigue here? There were many places she would like to discreetly stick her nose.
Then, just as she turned to face him again one of the kingfishers seemed to peck at the third string of the knot. Then, it finally snatched it and fly away with it. It snatched Tseng’s knot from him. Hilda pressed a hand to her lips to hide her surprise, then she broke into a gentle chuckle. “Seems we have the duty to retrieve your knot, dear sir.” She lowered her hand and watched that blue bird fly with it. “As well as ensure the bird doesn’t hurt itself.” It certainly couldn’t do well for it to swallow its string.
When she stated he wasn't one for small talk and more a gentleman of action, he gave a small smile. "You could say that." The only lengthy conversations Tseng was used to having were ones where he was getitng information out of someone. Even those close to him didn't get much out him. There were a select few, mainly Cissnei and Reno, and even then, they were to the point for the most part. Small talk didn't get you anywhere, talking about the weather and such.
Taking the end of the string she handed him, he gave her a small nod. "Well done, you made quick work of that." He hadn't started on his, more questioning the nature of why a high class event such as this would need an activity like this. Then again, the events he had attended were in honor of either President Shinra, or Rufus, and both of those events included activities like sucking up to them or handing them money. Donations to charity, as they were called. They never went past the President.
"Not one to beat around the bush, are we?" Giving her a small smirk, he had to admit that she wasn't shy with what she wanted to say. "Restricted areas? You're holding out on me." Giving a wink, he was beginning to think she was showing small signs of being a decent Turk. The ability to question someone with elegance, and knowing secrets. "Just getting a feel of this new world is all."
Facing him once again, her attention was soon turned to one of the birds, what kind of bird he did not know. His knot was soon flying away from him, and he couldn't help but smile at her reaction. "It would seem so. Shall we?" Holding out his arm, he kept an eye on the bird as to follow where it was going, though he figured it would be going back to its home, so he wasn't too worried about it at the moment. Unsure on if she would accompany him or not, he waited for her response.
[attr="class","character-spring-1c"]“Masquerade: Red Strings of Fate”
[attr="class","character-spring-1d"]Ah. There it was. A nearly imperceptible smile. She must have caught his interest then.
She lowered her lashes at his compliments. A gentle smile touched her lips. “I learned a little about threads in my younger days.” Needlework was the basics of what one was taught as a girl. She remembered learning how to loosen the string between one finger, taking a glance at how the strings lay. It was not so different from social situations. One had to figure out how to untangle a person before getting to know them.
“Depends on the bush.” She said wittily to his comment about beating around such objects. Some needed a good swatting. Or to be lit on fire. In this case, based on his short and direct answers, she needed to be straightforward with some interesting information. She gave a gentle shrug of the shoulder, before relaxing them back down. A soft smile touched her lips with that spark of mischief in her eyes. “I most certainly am not holding out on you.” She took playful offense as she closed her eyes and raised her chin, as if to uphold her dignity. “You can see them throughout the palace. Some doors are clearly marked. Others are under magical seals. Seems a little odd for a simple research facility. Having a few rooms locked off the sensitive research and private quarters are reasonable. However, having so many rooms marked off near the guest rooms seems bizarre.”
And she would leave it at that. She did not know what was behind those doors. Not yet anyway.
He coolly watched as the bird took his string. Then he offered her his arm. She graciously accepted it. She pressed her other hand to hike her skirts. “Fear not. The bird cannot leave this dome.” She reassured Tseng. Her eyes floated up to watch as it went through the paths. She began leading them across the bridge. The mandarin ducks swim under it. One the other side there was a small garden path that led in the direction of the flying kingfisher. “You often chase birds?” Hilda teased gently. He seemed to have a keen eye.
Tseng gave a small nod at her response, but didn't say anything more on the matter. He wasn't going to push a part of a conversation any farther than it needed to, and that seemed to be then end of this one. Though, knowing how to loosen strings and ropes was fine skill to have, and the smaller ones were harder than the bigger ones. He had respect for the woman in front of him.
The way she responded took him by surprise a little bit, as he did not expect a witty comment to come from her. Then she started explaining the hidden places and he listened to her. What she said was correct, it was quite bizarre. "Do you think they may be hiding something? Something involving the guests?" Maybe he had come to the right place, and perhaps at the right time.
Now, Tseng was never really one to just jump into investigating with just anyone. This woman sparked his interest though, and he intuitions were hardly ever wrong. Hardly ever were the key words there, as no one was perfect. Still, her words had him wondering, and even if nothing happened tonight, he would make sure to further investigate on at a later time. Maybe he would get Cissnei to help him.
Giving a nod as she took his arm, he gave a small chuckle at her comment, but nothing more. She led them across the bridge as they made their way to the home of the troublesome bird. At her question, he gave a small shrug. "Not birds, but I've chased down my fair share of troublemakers." That was one way of putting it. His eyes were one of his features his job depended on, and they were a skilled set.
